Variety of geranium named Duke

ABSTRACT

The variety is characterized by its bright, fluorescent red-maroon flowers which are bi-colored in appearance. The variety is sturdy with a compact mound and roots easily.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium×domesticum known by the varietal name Duke (Oglevee No. 408;Walters No. 14W-O). The new variety was discovered by Mr. Ernest Waltersin a selected breeding program in Hucknall, Nottingham, Great Britain.The new variety is a selection from the crossing of P.citrosum×quercifolium×Lady Mary Fox. The new variety was first asexuallyreproduced in the United States by cuttings at Oglevee, Ltd.,Connellsville, Pa. in January of 1987. The new variety has beenasexually reproduced by cuttings at Oglevee, Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa.over a several year period. It has also been trialed at Connellsvilleand has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics throughsuccessive propagations.

The cultivar when grown in a glass greenhouse in Connellsville, Pa.using natural light and 60° F. night and 68° F. day has a response timeof 14 weeks from a rooted cutting, once pinched, to flowering in a 6inch pot. The response time was determined on plants grown in soillessmedia employing constant fertilizer 150-200 parts per million ofnitrogen and potassium in full light. The rooted cuttings were potted onSep. 24, 1990 and flowered on Jan. 4, 1991.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new cultivar, withthe colors set forth therein being as nearly true as possible with colorillustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected by asexual reproductions carried out by Oglevee, Ltd. inConnellsville, Pa. The plant history was taken on fourteen week plantsblossomed under natural light in a greenhouse and the color readingswere taken indoors under 200-220 foot candles of florescent cool whitelight. Color references are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London.

THE PLANT

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium×domesticum.

Commercial.--Regal geranium.

Form: Compact mound.

Height.--16.5 cm from media surface.

Growth.--Strong controlled wiry habit.

Strength: Ease of rooting; sturdy plant can withstand postharvesthandling abuse.

Foliage: Stalked leaf attachment.

Leaves:

Size.--6.5 cm to 7.0 cm across.

Shape.--Depressed ovate. Base: Reniform.

Margin.--Serrately lobed.

Texture.--Leathery; pubescent.

Color.--Top: Green Group 137B. Bottom: Green Group 137C.

Ribs and veins.--Palmate venation. Color: Yellow/Green Group 147C.

Petioles:

Color.--Green Group 137C.

Length.--4.8 cm to 9.0 cm.

Stem:

Color.--Yellow/Green Group 146B.

Internodes.--1.0 cm to 2.0 cm in length.

THE BUD

Shape: Elliptical.

Size: 1.0 cm to 2.0 cm in length; bud just beginning to show color.

INFLORESCENCE

Blooming habit: Continuous; slow to shatter.

Size: 7.0 cm to 8.0 cm across at widest point.

Borne: Florets on pedicel; pedicel on peduncle.

Florest:

Form.--Cupped.

Color.--Top: Upper two petals -- Red/Purple Group 60 B with a blotch ofGreyed/Purple Group 187A and veining of Greyed/Purple Group 187A. Lowerthree petals -- Red/Purple Group 61B with a blotch of Greyed/PurpleGroup 187B and veining of Red/Purple Group 60C. Throat -- White Bottom:Red/Purple Group 65D.

Petals.--Five in number; separate, not united; margin entire.

Size.--4.5 cm to 5.0 cm across; fully open.

Texture and appearance.--Smooth, satin-like; appearance from a distanceis a maroon bi-color with the top two petals darker than the bottomthree; has "fluorescent glow".

Petaloids: None present.

Pedicel:

Length.--1.5 cm to 2.0 cm.

Color.--Yellow/Green Group 146B.

Peduncle: 4.0 cm to 5.5 cm in length.

Color.--Yellow/Green Group 146A.

Lasting quality: Slow to shatter.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Anthers.--3.0 mm to 4.0 mm in length; 5 to 7 in number.

Filaments.--1.6 cm to 2.0 cm in length. Color: White.

Pollen.--Greyed/Orange Group 172B.

Pistils:

Number.--1.

Length.--1.7 cm to 2.0 cm.

Stigma.--5 to 6 parted; Red/Purple.

Style.--1.3 cm; Red/Purple Group 60B.

Ovaries: 6.0 to 7.0 mm in length; light green, very pubescent.

Fruit: None observed.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

This new variety of Pelargonium×domesticum is an improvement over thecurrent Regal geraniums in the red color class. While this variety isnot as true a red as Grand Slam or the Vavra Shirley, its otherqualities make it by far more outstanding. Duke exhibits a show ofbright (almost a fluorescent glow), red-maroon flowers on a neat compactplant. Cutting production is improved because of ease of branching.Rooting is quicker and easier than the varieties currently available.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of geranium plant substantiallyas shown and described.